The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-05
IsLAMIsM OVER ALL.
a Christian Minister Explains It's Growth
and It's Power.


From the New York Tribune.
The paper on lslamism which Canon
Isaac Taylor read at the English Church
congress, recently held at Northampton,
is the talk Of the hour among English
churchmen. Among other things the canon
said that Islamism is more successful than
Christianity in very large part OF the
world. Moslem converts from paganim
are more numerous than Christian con-
vcrts, and in some regions Christianity is
actually receding before Islamism. AS for
the nations which have adopted the Mos
lem faith, ii is almost useless TO try TO
christianize them. Moreover, in India,
where Christianity seems to be making
some headway against Hinduism, 1t is
really only preparing the people for Islam
ism, which seems destined to be the pre-
yailng religion Of that great country In
Africa, tribe which once accepts
the Moslcm faith never reverts 10
paganism and never embraces Chris
tanity. Canon Taylor also says that
there is good reason in the nature OF
things for these facts. Christianity is too
physical for barbarous and semi-barbarous
races to appreciate and comprehend.
Islnmism, on the other hand, Is 10 ma
terial and concrete in its structure that
such races readily accept IL. Not only Is
the moral code Of lslamism accepted in
theory by these races, but in practice as
well. In fact, il at once lifts them up TO a
comparatively high plane OF morality.
Christianity fails 10 do this, and therefore
| the bold canon concludes that lslamism
has done more for civilization than christ
/ ianity has dono or can do These nre
startling statements 10 come from digni-
| tary Of the English church, but that they
have some basis OF truth cannot be wholly
| denied In one view II Is complimentary
| TO christianity TO say Of II that II Is too
| lofty 10 find a ready acceptance among
bnrbarous races At the same time, such
n view of christianity would, II accepted,
eficctually cut the nerve Of foreign mis-
sions. For why should the churches waste
| their money in trying 10 convert people
who not merely viii not, but cannot, UNI
derstand or accept christianity More than
that, why should they not actually con-
| tribute money for the propagation OF Is
lamism, which, in the words Of Canon
| Taylor, causes the negro tribes OF Africa TO
rcnounce paganism, devil worship, fetch
ism, cannibalism, human sacrifice, in
ianticide, wi,chcraft, gambling, drunken
i ness, unchastity, cruelty and filth In
| fact, Canon TAYLOR clearly intimates that Il
| would be wise for the church 20 recognize
Islamisin. 1--WE ought 20 begin" lac
saws, "by recognizing the fact that Islam
is not an anti.christian faith, but hall
| christian iaith-an imperfect christianity.
Islam is n replies OF the faith Of Abraham
and Moses, with christian elements.
| Though the teaching OF Mahomet falls
grievously short Of the teaching OF 81.
Paul. there is nothing in IL antagonistic 10
Christianity. . The higher chris
tian yirtues-humility, purity Of heart,
forgiveness OF injuries, sacrifice Of sell
these are not the virtues OF
Islam. The Christian ideal Is unintelligi.
bic 10 savagrs, but the lower virtues which
Islam inculcates the lower races can be
brought 30 nd-tempcrancc, clean.
illness, chastity, Justice, fortitude, courage,
bcneyolencc, hospitality, vcrncity and res.
ignalion." There IL, however, one point
that may be made against the canon's ar
qument. Even In the most intelligent
Christian nations the higher virtues oI
christianity are only vaguely understood,
and not generally pmcticed, while the
lower virtues which islamism entorces
arc understood aud generally pncticcd
The same reasoning, therefore, which
proves islamism best for barbarous races
would also In measure prove u best fol
civilized ones. II Canon TAYLOR prepared
10 advocate the introduction Of the Moelen
religion in England, because that nation
has failed fully 10 grasp the higher IDEAL
Of christianity